Spontaneous expectoration of tumor tissue in a patient with adenocarcinoma of the lung.

Expectoration of tumor tissue is a rare presentation in patients with cancer. Thirty cases of various types of tumor, including primary or metastatic lung cancer, have been reported. Endobronchial metastases from various organs are most common, although 9 primary lung cancer cases have been described, including 4 squamous cell carcinomas, 2 bronchogenic carcinoids, one small cell lung carcinoma, one large cell carcinoma, and one mixed type carcinoma.1–9 Adenocarcinoma of the lung has never been reported. We describe a case of spontaneous expectoration of a piece of lung adenocarcinoma, which enabled a definitive diagnosis of a local recurrence, and led to substantial relief from dyspnea.